A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit close to Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan early on Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, injuring hundreds, and causing extensive damage to the city’s renowned Blue Mosque. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake struck at a depth of 28 kilometers near Mazar-e Sharif, a city with a population of around 523,000 residents.
Mohammad Rahim, a survivor from Tashqurghan district near the epicenter of the quake, described the intense shaking that lasted approximately 15 seconds. He recounted the chaotic scene of dust-filled air hindering visibility as he stood in front of a collapsed building, where his mother and brother were trapped before being rescued by a combination of emergency responders and local residents.
Preliminary reports from the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority indicated that the earthquake claimed the lives of 20 individuals and left 643 injured, with 25 of them in critical condition. Health Ministry spokesperson Sharfat Zaman confirmed that rescue and medical teams were deployed to the affected area, with nearby hospitals prepared to provide treatment to the injured.
The earthquake caused significant damage to the Blue Mosque, a revered site in Mazar-e Sharif believed to be the burial place of the Prophet Mohammad’s cousin and son-in-law. The historic mosque, constructed in the 15th century, suffered structural harm, as verified through social media footage showing debris scattered across its courtyard, though the main building remained intact.
This seismic event poses a new challenge for Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, already grappling with various crises, including a previous devastating earthquake in August, dwindling foreign aid, and the mass expulsion of Afghan refugees by neighboring nations. The quake disrupted power supply across the country, affecting the capital Kabul, as reported by Da Afghanistan Breshna Company, the national power utility.
Save the Children, an aid organization, highlighted the earthquake’s impact on the country’s humanitarian situation, exacerbating the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, especially children, ahead of the harsh winter conditions. The country’s susceptibility to earthquakes stems from its location along two active fault lines, which have historically led to significant seismic events causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
This recent earthquake underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response to support affected communities and mitigate the long-term consequences of natural disasters in Afghanistan.
